“Rally ‘Round CARICOM”

Tuesday, July 4, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) marks 50 years as a regional integration movement, which has the distinction of being the oldest surviving body of its kind in the developing world.

The jubilee anniversary coincides with the 45th regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government, which is being held from July 3 to 5 in Trinidad and Tobago under the chairmanship of Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit.

Prime Minister, the Most. Hon Andrew Holness, is leading Jamaica’s delegation at the meeting.

The 50th anniversary milestone provides an opportunity for the region and its leaders to celebrate and take steps to strengthen regional integration.

CARICOM was established in 1973 with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas by the Founding Fathers from Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Other members joined subsequently, with the body now comprising 15 Member States and five Associate Members.

The Treaty was later revised in 2002 to allow for the eventual establishment of a single market and economy (CSME).

Establishment of CARICOM came out of the British West Indies Federation, which was established in 1958. At the end of the Federation in 1962, political leaders in the Caribbean made a committed effort to strengthen ties among the countries and continue the areas of cooperation that existed during the Federation.

CARICOM rests on four main pillars – economic integration, foreign policy coordination, human and social development, and security – and these pillars underpin the stated objectives of the Community.

Among these are to improve standards of living and work; accelerated, coordinated and sustained economic development and convergence; expansion of trade and economic relations with Third States; enhanced levels of international competitiveness; and the enhanced coordination of Member States’ foreign and foreign economic policies and enhanced functional cooperation.

CARICOM’s achievements have been many, with accomplishments in cooperation in trade, education, health, sports and culture, security and foreign relations.

The region has been a respected force in the international arena, speaking with a coordinated voice on behalf of other developing countries and small island states.

Out of the integration movement has sprung institutions such as the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), among others.

As a founding member, Jamaica has played a significant role in the growth and development of the community, making contributions in health, education, climate change, security, disaster relief, among others.

Most recently, Jamaica was called upon to host the Haitian stakeholder consultations, which was aimed at arriving at a consensus on the steps to be taken in restoring stability in Haiti.

CARICOM Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett, in her address at the opening of the Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads, said there is no doubt that CARICOM is 50 years strong, with a solid foundation to build on.

“They took on the vision of the founders and ensured that as the Caribbean Community solidified its regional integration, it made a mark internationally, which demonstrated that the constraints of small size could be overcome by collaboration and integration,” she noted.

She noted that while there are challenges and there are areas that need improvement, the community has demonstrated the resolve and resilience necessary to maintain the course of integration.

“The Caribbean Community has done well! It is, therefore, fitting that we acknowledge and celebrate our Golden Jubilee,” Dr. Barnett added.

CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister the Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, said the past 50 years of CARICOM have seen many achievements.

“We deserve to be proud of our history. It is no mean feat that we are the longest surviving economic integration movement in the developing world and second only to the European Union globally.

“It is with justifiable pride that we should all say I AM CARICOM,” he said.

UN Secretary General, Antonio Gutteres, in addressing the gathering, noted that CARICOM has advanced cooperation on every front – from economic and social development to fighting illegal drugs and arms trafficking, to combatting non-communicable diseases and advancing gender equality.

“You have championed climate action and focused attention on the plight of Small Island Developing States (SIDS),” he added, noting that the UN relies on Caribbean expertise and leadership.

Mr. Gutteres said that the 50th anniversary is a time to reflect on the enormous challenges confronting the Caribbean,” citing among these the climate crisis, the debt burden, and access to global capital markets.

He noted that COVID-19 and the climate emergency have revealed an international financial system that is outdated, dysfunctional, and unfair, and Caribbean leaders have been pointing the way forward.

He cited in this regard, the work of Prime Minister Holness, through the Finance for Development initiative, and Barbadian Prime Minister, Hon. Mia Mottley, through the Bridgetown Initiative.

“I thank Caribbean leaders for your powerful calls for climate justice, advancing global action on loss and damage, investing in renewables, and safeguarding biodiversity, including through the efforts of Indigenous communities.

“My message is clear: our world needs the islands. We need to rally ‘round CARICOM,” the UN Secretary General said.